Counting devices for use with knitting needles



Feb. 10, 1959 N. TQSANDERS 2,872,392

COUNTING DEVICES FOR usE WITH KNITTiNG NEEDLES Filed Jan. 21, 1958United States Patent COUNTING DEVICES FOR USE WITH KNITTING NEEDLESNorman Thomas Sanders, Mappleb-orough Green, Studley,

England, assignor to Needle Industries Limited, Birmingham, England, aBritish company 7 Application January 21, 1958, Serial No. 710,330

7 Claims. (Cl. 116-133) shank of a knitting needle and are arranged tobe located against axial displacement with respect to said needle, theknitter using the device for the purpose of counting rows or stitches asthe knitting proceeds.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new or improvedconstruction of such a counting device which is relatively light inweight and comparatively economical to produce.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a countingdevice wherein relative rotation of the two sleeves avoids any rubbingaction on the numerals which might otherwise cause erasure of suchnumerals.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a countingdevice which can be quickly and easily adjusted as counting proceeds andin which the set or predetermined positions of adjustment are maintainedagainst inadvertent disturbance thereof.

In accordance with the present invention I provide in a counting devicefor use in association with a knitting needle comprising an inner sleevehaving an axially. extending bore, numerals circumferentially spacedaround the outer surface of said inner sleeve and retaining meansassociated with said bore for locating said device-axially on a knittingneedle inserted into the bore; the provision in combination of anelastically deformable outer sleeve rotatably mounted on said innersleeve and having a viewing aperture adapted to expose said numerals andmeans on the inner sleeve cooperating with the outer sleeve to deformsaid outer sleeve to a diameter which is different from its naturalunrestrained diameter, the relativedispositions of at least a part ofone of the two circumferential surfaces of the deformable outer sleeveand an adjacent part of the inner sleeve being such as to providefrictional engagement between them so that the two sleeves are yieldablyretained against inadvertent relative rotation.

.The invention will appear more clearly from the following detaileddescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the'inventive idea.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Y IFigure 1 is a perspective view of one construction of counting device inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the outer sleeve of such device.

Figure 3 is a diametral cross section of such device, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional viewon the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

The counting device comprises an outer sleeve 10 made of resilient stripmetal, for example, stainless steel, brass, or aluminium alloy,preferably having a thickness of about 0.010", bent into the form of aregular polygon having ten sides.

Typically such outer sleeve 10 is about in length and its internaldimensions, measured between opposed sides of the polygon in the freeunstressed state prior to assembly in the counting device may also beabout The edges 11 of the strip at its free ends are spaced apartcircumferentially from each other to provide an axially extending gap12, which, as illustrated, occupies part of one side of the polygon,although it could constitute the whole of such side. The illustratedform is preferred in that it avoids any outward projection of the edges11 of the metal whereas were these edges to be situated in co-incidencewith the junction of the gapped side with the next succeeding side ofthe polygon, said edges 11 would project outwardly to some extent and insuch a case it would be desirable to round or smooth such edges so as toprevent undesirable sharpness.

The device further comprises an inner sleeve 13 which comprises two mainparts 14 and 15 which are assembled co-axially with each other and withthe outer sleeve 10 and are rotatable relatively to each other and tothe outer sleeve 10.

Each of the two parts 14 and 15 of the inner sleeve comprises an innerdrum element as seen respectively at 16 and 17 (see Figure 3) of adiameter such as to fit within the outer sleeve 10 and still leave anannular clearance space 18 between the outer sleeve 10 and the outerface of each drum element 16 and 17. Each part 14 and 15 of the innersleeve further comprises an end cap portion seen respectively at 19 and20.

In the case of the inner sleeve part 14 the end cap portion comprisesfirstly an extension 21 being of slightly greater diameter than the drumelement 16 and secondly an outer ring 22 spaced radially from thisextension 21 and connected to it integrally at its outer end so as todefine an annular channel 23 which is directed axially inwardly toreceive an adjacent end portion of the outer sleeve 10.

The drum element 17 also includes an integral extension 24 of largerdiameter-than said drum element 17 but instead of said extension 24being united integrally with an outer ring 25 defining an annularchannel 26, it is secured as, for example, by adhesive, in a channelformed between the ring 25 and an inner tubular portion 27 integral withsaid ring 25 and engaging Within the drum element 17.

The drum element 17 is itself integrally connected with a furthertubular portion 28 at once end thereof, which tubular portion 28 engageswithin the drum ele ment 16 and is formed after assembly with aretaining flange 29 at its outer end in the manner described and claimedin my copending U. S. patent application, thereby retaining the twoparts 14 and 15 of the inner sleeve against axial separation. Said twoparts 14 and 15 are'constrained against inward axial displacement byengagement of the inner end face of the drum element 16 with a laterallyextending shoulder 30 formed at the junction between the portion 28 andthe drum element 17, this limiting separation being such as to provideaxial clearance spaces 31 and 32 between the ends of the outer sleeve 10and the bases of the annular channels 23 and 26.

It will be understood that the parts of the inner sleeve above describedmay be made of any suitable material. For example, they may be formed asmouldings from a suitable synthetic resin material, preferably of thethermoplastic kind to facilitate formationof the flange 29.

The rings 22 and 25 which form the outer sides of the channels 23 and 26respectively are so shaped in cross section in a plane perpendicular tothe axis of the inner sleeve that at least their inner faces are ofsubstantially regular polygonal form, the number of sides correspondingto the number of sides incorporated in the outer sleeve 10. Convenientlythe rings 22 and 25 are of uniform wall thickness (see Figure 4) so thatthey are also of polygonal form externally and thus assist in graspingand rotating one of the rings whilst holding the other against rotation.

The cross sectional dimensions aiforded internally by the rings 22 and25 are somewhat less than the corresponding external dimensions of theouter sleeve 10 when in its free unstressed state so that said outersleeve 10 has to be contracted circumferentially and radially to someextent before its end portions 33 and 34 can be assembled in thechannels 23 and 26 respectively so that said outer sleeve 10 is thenretained by virtue of its own resilience in pressure contact with theinner faces of the rings 22 and 25.

By virtue of the polygonal cross section of the sleeve and the rings,ten stopping positions are defined, but either part 14 or 15 of theinner sleeve can be rotated against the resistance imposed at thesestopping positions. Such rotation effects a further temporarycontraction of the outer sleeve, which is allowed to expand again whenthe next stopping position is reached.

This temporary further contraction is effective only at one end of theouter sleeve 10 because the innate resilience of the outer sleevemaintains its other end portion in effective engagement with thepolygonal internal face of the ring embracing it at this end. Thus,relative rotation between the outer sleeve 10 and one of the end capswill tend to take place at one end of the outer sleeve only, being thatend at which such rotation is initiated, some additional constraintbeing imposed against relative rotation between the outer sleeve and theend cap portion at the other end of the outer sleeve.

In practice it will almost always be the case that the yieldablerestraint established between the outer sleeve 10 and one of the end capportions 19 and 20 of the inner sleeve is somewhat greater than thatestablished between the outer sleeve 10 and the other of said end capportions. Thus, to ensure that the outer sleeve remains stationary withrespect to the desired end cap portion, the outer sleeve 10 is providedwith at least one torque anchor projection on its outer face, suchprojection or projections being positioned to come into contact with thetips of the users finger and thumb or fingers when grasping that end capportion which is to be held stationary. Preferably two such torqueanchor projections are provided, these being in the form of axiallyextending ribs 35 and 36, each having a height measured in a radialdirection such that it is not more than slightly below or not more thanslightly proud of the outer circumferential faces of the rings 22 and 25of the end cap portions. This allows the requisite restraint to beimposed upon rotation of the outer sleeve 10 with respect to one of theend cap portions without obstructing desired rotation of the other endcap portion. Conveniently the ribs 35 and 36 are spaced from the gappedside of the polygon formed by the outer sleeve by one intervening side,as may be seen in Figure 2.

To further assist the desired mode of use, i. e. rotation of one end capportion whilst the outer sleeve and the other end cap portion are heldstationary, the axial spacing between the innermost ends of the rings 22and 25 should preferably not exceed about /2" or be less than about thepreferred value being about This last dimension is, to some extent,related to the height or extent of radial projection of the outer facesof the rings 22 and 25 with respect to the outer face of the outersleeve 10. The ratio of such radial projection to the axial spacingabove referred to is, in a typical case, about A to /s but it will beunderstood that there may be some departure from this preferred rangeaccording to the size in which the counting device as a whole is made.

The drum elements 16 and 17 are each marked with numerals 0-9 at equallycircumferentially spaced positions and the gap 12 is of sufficient widthto enable one such numeral from each drum element to be exposed at atime, it being understood that the numerals will be marked in suchpositions as to be completely exposed when the parts 14 and 15 of theinner sleeve occupy the stopping positions with respect to the outersleeve previously referred to.

The tendency for the outer sleeve to be maintained in pressure contactwith the rings 22 and 25 maintains the existence of the clearance space18 and consequently there is no rubbing contact between the outer sleeve10 and the faces of the drum elements 16 and 17 upon which the numeralsare marked so that any tendency to erasure of the numerals is avoided.

Some inward contraction of the outer sleeve occurs in moving one of theend caps from one stopping position to another and some inwardcontraction may also occur in consequence of pressure exerted againstthe ribs 35 and 36. However, the extension portions 21 and 24 of thedrum elements 16 and 17 serve by their larger diameters positively toprevent the outer sleeve coming into contact with the outer faces of thedrum elements 16 and 17 so as further to eliminate the risk of numeralerasure.

The counting device is intended to be threaded on to a knitting needlewhich is passed through the bore afforded by the portions 27 and 28.

The device is retained against axial displacement by spaced parallelcoil springs 37 and 38, the end portions of which are retained betweenthe end of the portion 27 and the internal junction between the drumelement 17 and the portion 28 formed integrally therewith. Suchretaining means are the subject of my co-pending U. S. patentapplication, to which reference may be had for a fuller description.

The construction above described is extremely compact and light, theoverall length measuring, for example, about %1", with the outsidediameter of the end cap portions being, for example, about /2", Whilstthe total weight may be 2 grams or less. The counting device can thus bethreaded on to the end of a knitting needle which is in use without anysignificant increase in the overall weight of that portion of theknitting needle in the region of the knob.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to theconstruction as above described without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What I claim then is:

1. In a counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeveand retaining means associated with said bore for locating'said deviceaxially on a knitting needle inserted into the bore; the provision incombination of an elastically deformable outer sleeve rotatably mountedon said inner sleeve and having a viewing aperture adapted to exposesaid numerals and means on the inner sleeve co-operating with the outersleeve to deform said outer sleeve to a diameter which is different fromits natural unrestrained diameter, the relative dispositions of at leasta part of one of the two circumferential surfaces of the deformableouter sleeve and an adjacent part of the inner sleeve being such as toprovide frictional engagement between them so that the two sleeves areyieldably retained against inadvertent relative rotation.

2. In a counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeveand retaining means associated with said bore for locating said deviceaxially on a knitting needle inserted into the bore; the provision incombination of an outwardly expandable outer sleeve rotatably mounted onsaid inner sleeve and having a viewing aperture adapted to expose saidnumerals and an end cap portion connected to said inner sleeve andfrictionally engaging with said outwardly expandable outer sleeve toconfine it to a diameter which is less than its natural unrestraineddiameter, the surface of said outer sleeve adjacent said numeralsprovided on the inner sleeve being spaced away from said inner sleeve.

3. In a counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeveand retain ing means associated with said bore for locating said deviceaxially on a knitting needle inserted into the bore; the provision incombination of an outwardly expandable outer sleeve, a radiallyoutwardly directed face provided on said outer sleeve, an end capportion connected to said inner sleeve and a radially inwardly directedface provided on said end cap portion, at least one of said radiallyoutwardly and radially inwardly directed faces being provided with aplurality of non-positive stopping formations, said radially inwardlyand radially outwardly directed faces engaging each other in one of aplurality of stopping positions in which the inner and outer sleeves areyieldably retained against inadvertent relative rotation and in which atleast one of said numerals is in register with said viewing aperture.

4. In a counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeveand retaining means associated with said bore for locating said deviceaxially on a knitting needle inserted into the bore; the provision incombination of an outer sleeve rotatably mounted on said inner sleeveand having a viewing aperture adapted to expose said numerals, anoutwardly expandable resilient portion provided on said outer sleeve andof substantially regular polygonal shape in cross section perpendicularto the axis of said outer sleeve, and an end cap portion connected tosaid inner sleeve embodying an inwardly facing axially directed channelwherein the outer side faces of such channel are of substantiallyregular polygonal form in cross section corresponding with that of saidouter sleeve, said outwardly expandable resilient portion of the outersleeve being adapted to enter into said channel and engage with saidouter side faces thereof so as to provide a plurality of non-positivestopping positions.

5. In a counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeveand retaining means associated with said bore for locating said deviceaxially on a knitting needle inserted into the bore; the provision incombination of an outwardly expandable outer sleeve rotatably mounted onsaid inner sleeve and having a viewing aperture adapted to expose saidnumerals, a pair or axially spaced end cap portions connected to saidinner sleeve, said outwardly expandable outer sleeve frictionallyengaging with each of said end cap portions so as yieldably to retainthe inner and outer sleeves against inadvertent relative rotation from aset position, the inner surface of the outer sleeve being spaced fromthe adjacent surface of that portion of the inner sleeve provided withsaid numerals.

6. A counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeve,an outwardly expandable resilient outer sleeve rotatably mounted on saidinner sleeve and having a viewing aperture adapted to expose saidnumerals, a torque anchor projection provided on and extending radiallyoutwardly from said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve being ofsubstantially regular polygonal shape in cross section perpendicular toits axis, an end cap portion connected to said inner sleeve andembodying an inwardly facing axially directed channel, and a pluralityof stop-producing formations such as flat faces provided in saidchannel, said outwardly expandable resilient outer sleeve being adaptedto enter into said channel and engage with said stop-producingformations so as to establish a plurality of non-positive stoppingpositions.

7. A counting device for use in association with a knitting needlecomprising an inner sleeve having an axially extending bore, numeralscircumferentially spaced around the outer surface of said inner sleeve,an outwardly expandable resilient outer sleeve rotatably mounted on saidinner sleeve, said outer sleeve being of substantially regular polygonalshape in cross section perpendicular to its axis and having a viewingaperture adapted to expose said numerals and an end cap portionconnected to said inner sleeve and embodying an inwardly facing axiallydirected channel wherein the outer side faces of such channel are ofsubstantially regular polygonal form in cross section corresponding withthat of said outer sleeve, said outwardly expandable resilient outersleeve being adapted to enter into said channel and engage with saidouter side faces thereof so as to provide a plurality of non-positivestopping positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,821,953 Langbart Feb. 4, 1958

